Record changing apparatus



Filed April 29, 1940 asheets-s'heet 1 FIG.|

INVENTORV June 16, 1942.

L. KNOX RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiORNEY June 16, 1942. A. KNOX 2,286,490

RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR June 16,1942. A. L. KNOX I RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS Filed April 29, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG.9

FIG.8

ATTORNEY 5 Sheeis-Sheet 5 Filed April 29, 1940 Fl G. l3 fa Patented June 16; 19 42 UNITEDASTATES PATENT OFFICE RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS Arthur L-Knox, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignor to Farnsworth Television and Radio Corporation a corporation of Delaware Application April 29, 1940, Serial No. 332,252

13 Claims. (01. 274-10) above the turntable and the lowermost record of the stack is released from the stack to move upon the turntable by means of a releasing relatively small diameter and peripheral supports for records of relatively large diameter. A mechanism actuated by a record of relatively large diameter, when it moves inposition of the lowermost supported record, moves the peripheral supports for the records of relatively small diam- ,eter out of normal supporting position. These peripheral supports for the smaller records automatically return to their normal supporting posi- In one form of these automatic record s10 mechanism in the nature of 'a knife which efiec 1 tively cuts between the lowermost two records of the stack. In other forms of apparatus of this general type, the lowermost record of the stack is released by means of a moving member which tion after the larger record is moved from its supports to the turntable.

In accordance with another feature of thi invention, a mechanism is provided which is automatically adjustable to disengage records of different diameters so that they fall in a'substantially flat position to the playing position on the turntable. The advantages of this record disengaging mechanism is that it reduces to a minium chipping the sides of the records and engages the central aperture of the record. In 20 record changing apparatus of the former type, the knife-releasing members tend to strike the edges of the records, thereby damaging the records, and frequently jamming the mechanism.

In record changing apparatus of the second- 2 mentioned type, the moving member in time lacerates the edges-of the record adjacent the aperture to such an extent that the record aperture frequently becomes so enlarged that the record can no longer be properly centered upon 3 the turntable. Another disadvantage of these prior record changers is that their use is limited to records that are substantially flat. Records which are warped to any appreciable extent cannot be used with such apparatus. 1

An object of the "present invention is to provide a compact automatic record changing apparatus of improved and simplified construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a record changing apparatus which operates with 4 a minimum amount of'noise and which does not damage the records by denting orchipping or by damaging the centering aperture.

A further object of the invention -is to provide a record changing apparatus which operates efli- 4 ciently even if the recordsare appreciably warped.

The invention possesses other objects and features, which will be clear from the followin description. 1 5

In accordance with the present invention. supports are provided for a stack of records of different diameters. The supports include a spindle with a shoulder which supports the records at scratching the surface of the records, and it does not damage the centering apertures of records soas to affect their centering function.

In accordance with another feature of this invention, a mechanism is provided for positioning the pickup arm at the starting groove of records of different sizes. Normally the mechanism is set to position the pickup arm at the starting groove of records of relatively small diameter. When a record of relatively large diameter is released from its supports, it trips a locking means which allows the pickup arm control mechanism properly to position the pickup arm at the starting groove of the larger record.

In accordance with another feature of this invention, a clutch mechanism controlled by the pickup arm is provided which is responsive to the movement of the pickup arm when it reaches 'the end of the record andinitiates the record changing cycle.

In one embodiment of the invention, a weight,

preferably slidably mounted on the spindle, is

of removing the played records on the turntable and for reloading the record supports, the

0 spindle is moved out of engagement with the shaft. The advantages of this embodiment of the invention are the ease with which the record changing apparatus may be reloaded and the reduction to a minimum. of vibration noises.

their centers, peripheral supports for records of.65 In another embodiment of the invention, the

weight for balancing the supported records and forcing them into a releasable position may be pivotally-fnounted upon an arm and may be lifted above the end of the spindle and moved past the peripheral edge portions of records on the turntable.

- In another embodiment of the invention, the records are supported solely by the spindle and balanced in position by the weight mounted on the spindle above the supported records.

For a better understanding of the invention, together with. other and further objects thereof, reference is made to the following description,

. taken in connection with the accompanying out in the showing the cam arrangement for raising andv lowering the pickup arm; v

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the underside of the record changing mechanism; Fig, 5 is-a partial side elevation, showing a larger record in position to be released with the the record.

Fig. 2, which is a side elevation of the record changing apparatus, shows in greater detail the manner in which a. number of unplayed records 6 are supported in a stack above the turntable by means of a spindle I which extends above the turntable 2. Thespindle I, presently to be described in greater detail, is provided with an offset end 8 which is formed a suitable distance above the turntable 2, thus forming a left shoulder III which engages the periphery of the centering aperture of the lowermost record of the stack of supported records in the manner shown in the drawings. The spindle I terminates in'a tapered portion (the tapered portion greatly facilitating the loading of the records upon the shoulder l0.

The oflset portion of the spindle has a right shoulder I! at its lower end and at such elevation that the lowermost supported record can move under it. A pivoted spring biased lever l3 with a toggle member I3A fixed in'a housing I4, presently to be described in greater detail, is arranged to engage the edge of the lowermost supported record and move this record normal to the axis of the spindle so that the centering aperture of the record moves from under the right shoulder record supports for the smaller records dropped out of the path of the larger record;

Figs. 6 and 7 are fragmentary views showing various positions of records in relation to the centering spindle at closely-spaced intervals of time after the lowermost record has been moved to release it from the supports;

Fig. 8 is a perspective of the disappearing supports for the peripheral edge portions of the smaller records, the fixed supports for the peripheral edge portions of the larger records, and the mechanism for releasing records of different diameters from their supports;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary view showing the removable ofiset centering spindle, with a modification of the weight for balancing records upon the shoulder of said centering spindle.

I Fig. 10 is a view of the friction clutch assembly used in the recordchanging apparatus;

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the record changer showing a. modification of the weight supported ,bya pivoted arm for balancing a stack of records upon the support above the turntable;

Fig. 12 is a partial side elevation of the record I changer showing a group of records supported by'the centering spindle and a partial sectional view of the arm supporting the weight upon the records, as viewed from line l2|2 of Fig. 11;

and

Fig.'13 is a view taken on line l3-l3 of Fig.

' 12, showing the means for limiting the horizontal movement of the weight supporting arm when it is manually moved.

Referring now,more particularly to Fig, 1 of the drawings, the invention here illustrated embodies a record changing and reproducing apparatus including a base plate I supporting a horizontally rotatable turntable 2, upon which is shown a record 3 in position for reproduction. A pickup device or reproducer 4 is supported at'the end of a pickup arm 5, which is pivoted at its opposite end about the vertical axis of shaft 5A (see Figs. 2 and 3) to permit the reproducer to move across the face of the record as the I2 of the spindle and'over the left shoulder of the spindle.

When the lowermost record has been moved laterallyin this manner to the position shown in the fragmentary view of Fig. 6, the record is freed from the shoulder in and begins to fall substantially fiat to the turntable, as shown in Fig. 7, and is guided by the spindle 1 into playing position upon the turntable,

The supported records 6 are balanced upon the shoulder 10 of the centering spindle in a substantially horizontal position by a suitable weight 15 slid'ably mounted on the offset portion '8 of the centering spindle 1. The weight [5 rests on the top record of a stack of supported records to exert a downward steadying pressure thereon.

The turntable 2 is driven by a friction wheel l6 shown'in dotted lines under the left-hand flange of the turntable in Fig. 2, which is operatively connected through a friction wheel I! with an electric motor l8.

The detailed construction of the mechanism in the housing It is shown in Fig. 8. The housing It is provided with a channel I9 which guides with a reciprocatory motion a spring-biased channel-shaped lever 20. Pivotally secured to the upper end of the lever 20 is the lever l3, which is biased by a spring 2| to the position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 8 of the drawings and is actuated and moved against the bias of said spring by a record moving from the supports to the tumtable. The lever I3 is provided with a pair of slots 22 and 23, which guide in a reciprocatory motion the, toggle member I3A. The member I3A is provided with a-pair of tips or projections 25 and 26. The lever and toggle member l3 and I3A, respectively, are moved by the channel-shaped lever 20, which is arranged to move within the channel H! by means of a pivot pin 21 positioned near the midpoint of the lever 20.

Secured to the lower end of the lever 20 is a cam 28 normally biased by a spring 3| (see Fig. 2) in a forward position into the path of movement of pin 29 provided on a mutilated gear 30. The reciprocatory motion of the cam and lower end of the lever 20 is transmitted by means of the pivotal pin 21 to the upper end of the lever 20.

i the hollow shaft 6A. It will be evident that move- This reciprocatory motion moves the lever [3 with its toggled member |3A. With a ten-inch or smaller record in position to be released as shown in Fig. 2, the tip 26 engages the peripheral edge of the record. When reciprocatory motion is transmitted to it by the lever 20, the smaller record is disengaged from the shoulder I6.

When a twelve-inch or larger record drops in' position-to be released'from the support as shown in Fig.5, the toggle member |3A is actuated and the tip 26 is moved in place to engage the peripheral edge of the record. 'mien when reciprocating action by the lever 26 is transmitted to lever l3 and toggle member ISA, the larger record is disengaged from the shoulder l0. It is to be noted that each time the pivoted lever I3 is actument of the lever .44 effects a corresponding surface of a cam 46A provided on the mutilated ated in the manner previously described for re- 5 leasing records from the shoulder ID, the pivoted lever will move downwardly with the record and will be returned to its normal position by the action of its biasing spring 2| after the record has dropped in playing position upon the turntable.

Each time the cam 28 is actuated by the pin 29 on the mutilated gear 30, it is returned to the position shown in Fig. 8 by the action of the biasing spring 3| shown under the right-hand side of the base plate in Fig. 2.

' The mutilated gear 36 of Fig. 8 is shown completely in the upper portion of Fig. 4. It will be noted that several teeth are removed from the gear 30. The toe is continuously .biased toward the cam surface by a biasing spring 49., After the reproducer on the pickup arm has been raised from the surface of the record in the manner previously described, and as the mutilated gear continues to rotate, the cam 48A moves the L-shaped lever 46 in a counter-clockwise direction about its axis 41 and causes the right side of the aperture 46 to engage and drive before it the pin. The pin, in movin produces a corresponding movement of the lever 44 and the pickup arm in a radial direction away from the center of the record. The cam 48A is so shaped gear at 32 to provide the mutilated portion. The

purpose of the mutilation is to break the driving connection between this gear and a small piniongear 33, fixedly' secured to a shaft 34 which supports and moves with the turntable. After each complete revolution of the mutilated ear 30, the driving connection with pinion gear 33 is broken by the mutilated portion 32 and mutilated gear 36 comes to rest. One complete revolution of the mutilated gear 3|! definesone complete cycle of record changing operation, as will be evident later.

When a record on the turntable has been completely played, the movement of the pickuparm initiates the operation of a tripping mechanism, presently to be described, and causes the mutilat'ed gear 30 to be moved sufliciently far so that its teeth mesh with the teeth of the pinion gear 33. The mutilated gear 30 thereupon is driven through one complete revolution about its axis 35 and again comes to rest in the position shown in Fig. 4. As the mutilated gear 36 rotates, the pin 29 on the gear engages thec'am 28 and effects a change of the bottom supported record to playing position on the turntable in the manner heretofore described.

The mutilated gear 30 is provided with a cam surface 36. An arm 31, pivoted intermediate its ends on a bracket 38, carries a roller 39 at one end which is biased by a spring 40 into engagement with the cam surface 36. The arrangement of these elements is more clearly seen by reference to Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings. The roller 39, in following the cam surface 36 as the latter rotates, moves the left-hand end of the arm 31 upwardly. This movement of the left-hand end of the arm 31 raises a pin 4| vertically in the hollow shaft 5A. The upper end of the pin 4| engages the under side of the pickup arm 5 and raises the reproducer 4 from the surface of the record 3. a I

.The pickup arm 6 is supported on the upper end of the hollow shaft 5A which is rotatable within a pedestal 43 fixed to the base plate I. Lever 44 is fixedly clamped to the lower end of that it moves the L-sha'ped lever 46 in a counterclockwise direction at a time when the needle of .the'reproducer has been raised out of engagement with a record on the turntable.

The mutilated gear 30 continues to rotate after the pickup arm and reproducer have been moved beyond the peripheral edge of the played record on the turntable, and engages the pin 29 with the cam 28 to cause the bottom supported record ,to be dropped into playing position upon the turntable in themanner previously described. Shortly thereafter, the cam 48A has moved to a I point where the toe 46A of the L'-shaped lever 46 begins to move to the right under the action of the spring 49. When this occurs, the left-hand edge of the aperture 46 engages the pin and moves the pin, the lever 44 and the reproducer to a position where the reproducerneedle is'over the initial groove of the new record.

The cam 36 has rotated by this time to the position shown in Fig. 3, where the contour of the cam permits the left-hand end of lever 31 to, drop vertically, thereby returning the needle of the reproducer 4 to playing engagement with the new record recently placed on the turntable. The automatic record changing cycle effected by a complete revolution of the mutilated gear 30 is initiated by the automatic trip mechanism,

'previously mentioned, which will now be described in greater detail. The pickup arm 5, which has thus been lowered to place the phonograph needle in engagement with the initial groove of the new record, is moved inwardly by the spiral groove on the record. The pickup arm, in moving toward the center of the record, moves with it the hollow shaft 5A. The hollow shaft has secured to it a clutch 56, which frictionally engages a lever 6|. The detailed construction of the clutch will be described hereafter. Referring particularly to Fig. 4 of the drawings, a lever 52 is pivotally supported at one end for rotation about the shaft 5A. Thus, as reproduction goes on and the pickup arm moves toward the center of the record, the clutch moves the lever 6| in a counter-clockwise direction as shown in Fig.4. The lever 6| engages the side of the lever 52 (in a manner more clearly shown in Fig. 3) which also moves in a counter-clockwise direction. The free end of the lever 52 is formed at right angles to it and engages the-lower end of 'a lever 53 which is pivoted interm ate its ends. The upper end of the lever 53 ormally engages the upper end 01 a lever 54 which is secured to rotate with the mutilated gear 30. The lever 54 is pivoted intermediate-its ends. Its upper end (as shown in Fig. 4) tends to move away from the mutilated gear 30, and the lower end tends to move toward the mutilated gear 36 and into the path of movement of a pin 55 which is fixed to thesame shaft that supports the small pinion 33.

Each time the mutilated gear 36 makes a complete revolution, the upper end of the lever 54 engages the upper end of lever 53, which is so shaped that its engagement with the lever 54 causes the upper end of the lever 54 to move toward the surface of the mutilated gear 30, the lower end of the lever 54 thus moving out of thepath of the pin 55.

As the pickup arm approaches the inner groove of a record, it moves the levers 52 and 53 in counter-clockwise directions. However, the

lower end of the lever 53 carries a. leaf spring,

56 which lies in the path of a cam 51 which is fixed to the shaft 34. The cam 51 periodically strikes the spring 56 and moves the lever 53, and with-it .the levers 52 and 5|, in a clockwise direction, the lever 5| changing its position with respect to the pickup arm by means of the clutch 56; When the pickup arm reaches the eccentric groove customarily provided as the inner groove of the record, the lever 5| (Fig. 4) can be moved in a clockwise direction only against the biasing action of a spring 58, as will presently be shown in greater detail when the construction of the clutch 50 is considered. When this occurs, the cam 51 may temporarily move the levers 53, 52 and5l clockwise (as shown in Fig. 4) but these levers are immediately thereafter returned in a counter-clockwise direction bythe action of the spring58 on the lever 5|. The return movement is sufiiciently great so that the lever 53 is moved out of engagement with the lever 54. Thereupon the lower end of the lever 54 moves in the path of the pin 55. As the pin 55 rotates, it engages the lower end of the lever 54 and moves it, and

therewith the mutilated gear 30, sufliciently far so that the teeth of the mutilated gear 30 mesh with the teeth of the pinion gear 33, after which the pinion continues to drive the mutilated gear 30 through a complete revolution to efiect the cycle of automatic record changing heretofore described.

A fixed stop 59 is secured to the base plate I, with its upturned end 60 positioned in the path of movement of the lever 5|. As the pickup arm is swung beyond the edge of the records on the turntable during the record changing cycle, it moves the lever 5| in a clockwise direction (Fig. 4) into engagement with the stop 59. The engagement of these elements is effected, however, before the pickup arm has swung to its outermost position, the lever 5| changing its angular position relative to the pickup arm through the slipping connection between the pickup arm and the lever which is provided by the clutch 50. This positions the lever 5| well forward of the pickup arm as the latter is returned toward the center of the record and insures positive engagement of the elements 5|, 52 and 53, prior to the time when the needle of the reproducer is in the innermost groove of the record. I

The construction of the clutch 'is shown in detail the shaft 5A which also supports the pickup arm.

, A plate 63A with the lever 5| and an ear 63 extending from it is mounted in frictional relationship with the upper suriace of the flange of the member 64. A suitable flber washer 64A is slipped over the plate 63A. A plate 6| with the turneddown car 62 is placed over the fiber washer 64A. A spring washer 62A is placed over the plate 6|. A flanged cover member 13 is screwed on the sleeve of member 64 so that the bottom of the flanged portion oi. the cover member 13 rests on the spring washer 62A. Said spring washer maintains an even frictional engagement between the plate 6| and the flber washer 64A, when the members 64 and 56 are screwed together. spring 56 is connected to the outer flange'of the member 64 and'the turned-down ear 62. Said turned-down ear and the ear 63 are so related that just prior to the time when the pickup arm reaches the inner groove of the record, the bar 63 comes in contact with the ear 62. When the pickup arm reaches the inner groove of the record, the cam 51 through thellevers 53, 52 and 5| moves the ears 62 and 63 in a counterclockwise direction (as shown in Fig. 4) against the tension of the spring 56. When the cam 51 moves out of relationship with the levers 5|, '52 and 53, the tension of spring 58 moves the levers 5|, 52 and 53 with enough force to release the upper end of the lever 53 from engagement with the lever 54, thus initiating a record-changing cycle.

When a twelve-inch or larger record is released from its support above the turntable, in the manner previously described, the peripheral edge of the larger record engages a pivoted lever 65 (Figs. 5 and 8) as it drops to the turntable.

The lever 65 is pivoted intermediate its ends and is arranged to engage a pin 66, clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 8 of the drawings. In Fig. 8 it is seen that the lever 65 engages a notch 61 in the pin 66. Thus, when the lever 65 is actuated, the movement of the lever tends to raise the pin 66 vertically.

In the upper portion of Fig. 4, there is shown a spring biased lever 66. The lever 68 is pivoted intermediate its ends, and the right-hand end of the lever extends into engagement with the pin 66. A spring 69 is afiixed to the lever 68 and normally biases the lever 68 into continuous engagement with the pin 66, as shown in the drawmgs.

A fixed stop 16 is secured to the base plate I with its upturned end 1| positioned in the path of movement of the right-hand end of the lever 68; When the pin 66 is raised, which is effected after the L-shaped lever 46 has been moved to its outermost position during a record changing in Fig. 10. A flanged sleeve 64 is fixed to cycle, the lever 68 is moved about its axis by its biasing spring 69. The movement of the lever 68 as described, causes the right-hand end of the lever to engage the stop 10, and the lower end of the lever to move into the path of movement of the upper end of the L-shaped lever 46.

It will be noted that a plate 13, which is fixedly secured to the upper end of the L-shaped lever 46, is provided with a pivoted spring-biased lever "which is capable of being pivoted only in a counter-clockwise direction. As the L-shaped lever 46 moves in a clockwise direction under action of the biasing spring 49 to move the pickup arm toward the initial groove of a record, the lever 14 moves about its axis as it passes the lower end of the lever 68 and is returned to the.

lever and the upper end of the plate I3 engage the lower end of lever 88. This limits the inward movement of the pickup arm '(described above),

thus accurately positioning the pickup arm over and the record changing cycle is initiated, the

L-shaped lever 48 moves in a counter-clockwise direction and moves withit the lever which in turn moves the lever 88. This counter-clockwise movement of the lever 88 permits the pin 88 to drop of its own weight, thus locking the lever 88 in the position as shown in the drawings. With the lever 88 in the latter position, as the L- shaped lever 48 moves in a clockwise direction under action of the spring 49, the reproducer oi the pickup arm is returned to the initial groove of the smaller records. It is thus evident that the pickup arm automatically is set properly to position the pickup arm and repr'oducer needle in the initial groove of the particular record that is about to be reproduced.

In addition to the automatic trip mechanism previously described, there is also provided a manual, spring-biased trip lever I6 (Fig. 4). The lower end of this lever is bent to extend upwardly through a slotted aperture in the base plate I. To this bent end of the lever I8 is amxed a knob TI (Fig. l). The lever I8 normally is biased, by a spring I8, out of engagement with the turned-over lower end of the lever 53, but the lever I8 may be moved manually to engage the lower end of lever 53. thereby moving the. upper end of the lever 53 out of engagement with the trip lever 54 manually to trip the mechanism and initiate a cycle of automatic record changing.

In addition to the record support provided by the offset centering spindle previously described, there also may be provided peripheral supports for the intermixed records, the details of which i 38 and the upper end of thelever to move away irom the mutilated gear 38, thus permitting the pin 82 to drop, is a twelve-inch or larger record as shown in 5 Fig. 5, the peripheral edge 01 the record will engage and actuatea locking member 88 pivotally connected to the arm 19 (Fig. 8). The lower portion of the locking member 88 engages the upper end of a plate 8 1 and is released from said 10 plate only whena larger record drops upon the upper end of said locking member to rotate said I,

member in a counter-clockwise direction. When the locking member 88 is released and the pin 82 is lowered, the arms "I9 and 88 are guided to the position shown in Fig. 5 by a pair oirectangular apertures 98 and 9! in the housing I4. The peripheral edge of the larger record then rests upon a pair of flxed supports 88 and 89. After the larger record has been released from the supgo ports I8, 88 and 89 and has dropped upon the turntable in the manner previously described, the mutilated gear 38 has rotated to the point where the cam surface 84 again raised the lower end of the lever 83, thus raising the pin 82, and with 5 it the arms I9 and 88, to the position shown in Fig. 8. The locking member 86, connected to the arm I9, is so shaped that when the arm I8 is raised back to supporting position, said locking member rotates by its own weight into engageao ment with the plate 81 to lock the arm I9. It

is thus evident that the disappearing periph eral supports 19 and 88 are automatically dropped out of the path of a larger record, and, after said record has been released and drops upon the turntable, the supports are properly returned to a locked supporting position before the record changing cycle is completed.

A modification oi the record balancing weight I8 is shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings. The weight here shown is provided with a cutout portion 92 which guides with a reciprocatory motion ,a pivoted lever 93. A spring-biased pin 94 is se-.

cured to the upper end of the lever'93. When the last record has been released from the supports and the weight has dropped upon the shoulder I8, the lever 93 is moved into engagement with the right shoulder l2 of the centering spindle 1 v by the action of a spring 95 upon the pin 94.

When the weight is manually lifted,the lower are shown in Fig 8 There is provided apahof end of the spindle I is removed fromengagement to engage the peripheral edge of a ten-inch or,

smaller record. The .two arms 18 and 88 are connected mechanically by a shaft 8|. A pin 82 is arranged to engage the under side of the arm 19 (Fig. 8) for raising the said arms. The pin 82 is raised and lowered by the action of a pivoted lever 83. The lever is pivoted intermediate its ends and the lower end of the lever is arranged to engage a cam surface 84 provided on the-mutilated gear 38. The lower end of the lever 83 is biased into engagement with the cam surface 84 by the pin 82 (Fig. 4) which engages the upper end of the lever. The cam surface 84 is provided with a cutout portion 85, shown clearly in Fig. 2. When the gear 38 has rotated. sufliciently far to cause the pickup arm to be with a notched member 98 aflixed to the shaft 34. Thus when the spindle is removed, the reproduced records may be easily removed from the tumtable. The weight may be removed from the 5 spindle by pressing the pin 94 inwardly against o ously described. Fig. 11 shows the weight 91 upon a stack of records and pivotally afllxed to the left-hand end of an arm 98. The right-hand end of the arm 98 is shown to be pivotally mounted upon a support 99.

Fig. 12 shows a stack of records 8 supported upon the shoulder I8 of the centering spindle I. An elongated aperture I88 is provided in the lefthand and of the arm 98 for eliminating any binding action between the weight and the centering spindle, when the weight is manually lifted off the records and also when the weight 81 is lowered by the release of the bottom records from the shoulder l8. The right-hand end of the am 88 is shown to be pivoted on a pin I8I which I! the bottom supported record The is frictionalhr aflixed to the support 99. A base i plate I02 is provided as a base for the support 99. The support 99 is aflixed pivotally to the base plate I 02 by means of a set screw I03. A

spring washer 104 is provided for maintaining a desired frictional engagement between the supthe angular movement of the weight 91 and the arm 98. A pair of stops I05 and IDS is provided in the base plate I02. When the weight 91 is in the position shown (Fig. 11), an ear III! on the support 99 engages the stop I05 as shown in Fig. 13. When the weight is manually lifted oi? the stack of records 6 and the weight and arm are moved .in a counter-clockwise direction away from above the records, the ear III! on the support 99 engages the stop I06. Thislimited angular movement of the arm 98 insures that the weight 91 is returned properly to engage the centering spindle when a new stack of records is placed upon the shoulder of the centering spindle,

and also that the arm cannot be moved so far in a counter-clockwise direction as to engage and mar the interior of the phonograph cabinet. A stop I08 is provided on the arm 98 which rests upon the base plate I02 and maintains the arm in a horizontal position, when the arm is moved to its extreme counter-clockwise position, It is thus evident that the record balancing weight described above may be preferred over the types previously described in that the weight cannot be lost when removed from the centering spindle.

The complete operation of the record changing apparatus may now be understood from the above detailed description of the operation of its component 'parts. After a stack of records has been placedupon the shoulder support I0 of the centering spindle I, and a record has been placed in playing position upon the turntable 2, the tone arm 5 is manually moved to place the needle of the reproducer in the starting groove as the needle of the reproducer follows the spiral groove of the record and eventually reaches the inner groove where the automatic trip mechanism is operated bycorresponding movement of the levers 5|, 52, 53 and 54, the levers 53 and 54 mutilated gear rotates, the cam surface 36 moves the lever 31 and raises the reproducer oil the record. Continued movement of the mutilated gear 30 causes the cam surface 48A to move the L-shaped lever 46 and therewith the lever 44 to swing the pickup arm beyond the edge of the played'record. Shortly thereafter, the pin 29 on themutilated gear 90 engages the cam 28 and moves the latter to cause a corresponding movement of the pivoted lever l3. The pivoted member 13A of the lever I3 engages the edge of the lowermost supported record and moves this record in a direction normal to the axis of the spindle sufliciently far so that the record drops off its support. The released record is guided by the spindle 1 into playing position upon the phonograph turntable. The mutilated gear 39 has by this time rotated sufficientlyfar so that the cam 48A allows the L-shaped .of a record. The pickup arm 5 moves inwardly lever 46 to move clockwise under the action of the biasing spring 49, thereupon to return the pickup arm and reproducer to a position where the needle of the reproducer is over the starting groove of the record newly placed upon the turntable.

If the record that was just released was a larger record as itdropped to the turntable its peripheral edge portion tripped the pivoted lever 65. The movement of lever 65 raised lever 66 out of engagement with the spring-biased lever 98. The left end of lever 68 then moved into the path of lever 14 fixed to L-shaped lever 46. When the reproducer of the pickup arm moved over the larger record, its movement was governed by the series of levers 44, 46, 14 and 68 to position it over the starting groove of the larger record.

When all of the supported records have been released into playing position on the turntable, the weight l5 has slipped into locking position on the spindle. By pulling upwardly on the weight, the spindle I is released from the locking device 96. This facilitates removing the played records from the turntable. In order to reload the record changing apparatus for further operation, the spindle is looked back into position by locking device 96. Then the weight I5 is removed from the spindle by pressing lever 94 and pulling upwardly. Next, a stack of records is placed on shoulder IU of the spindle and the weight I5 is replaced on the spindle to keep the records in equilibrium in their supported position. Thus the record changing apparatus is ready for further operation.

While there has been heretofore described what is at present considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is therefore aimed in the appended claims to cover all such L changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scopeof the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatic record-changing apparatus comprising a fixed vertical bearing element with a socket at its upper end; a turntable mounted on said bearing element to rotate thereon; an offset spindle removably seated in said socket and extending upwardly therefrom, said spindle having a first shoulder for supporting a stack of records by engaging the edge of the centering aperture of the lowermost record of said stack and a second shoulder spaced above said first shoulder substantially the thickness of one record; a weight slidably mounted on said spindle above said second shoulder for exerting a downward steadying pressure on a stack of supported records; and a spring biased pivotal element associated with said weight and said spindle and adapted to engage said second shoulder after the last supported record is moved off of said first shoulder.

' 2. An automatic record-changing apparatus comprising a rotatable turntable; a fixed offset spindle extending above said turntable, said spindle having a shoulder for supporting a stack of records by engaging the edge of the centering aperture of the lowermost record of said stack; disengaging means adapted to engage the peripheral wall of the lowermost supported record to move said record laterally free of its supports whereby said record is guided by said spindle into playing position on said turntable; ably mounted on said spindle above said shoulon a stack of supported records; an arm operatively associated with said weight; a side support adjacent said turntable ior supporting said arm for movement thereof in a horizontal and vertical plane; and stop means associated with said arm for cooperating with said side support der, a weight slidably mounted on said spindle above said shoulder for exerting a downward steadying pressure on a stack of supported reca weight slidengaging a peripheral edge portion of the lower- --der for exerting a downward steadying pressure most record oil said stack when said record is of relatively large diameter;'movable peripheral supporting means adjacent said turntable for cooperating in supporting a stack of records by engaging a peripheral edge portion of the lowermost record of said stack when said record is oi relatively small diameter; releasable locking means operatively associated with said movable peripheral supporting means for normally retafning' said movable peripheral supporting means in supporting position, said locking means being actuated by a record of relatively large;

diameter when it moves into the lowermost supords; an arm operatively associated with said weight; a side support adjacent said turntable for supporting said arm for movement thereof in a horizontal and vertical plane; first stop means associated with said arm and said side support for limiting the horizontal movement of said arm; and second stop means associated with said arm for cooperating with said side support for limiting the vertical movement of said arm.

4. An automatic record-changing apparatus comprising a? rotatabletumtable; a fixed oilset spindle extending abov said turntable, said spindle having a shoulder for supporting a stack of records by engaging the edge of the centering aperture of the lowermost supported record of said stack; fixed peripheral supporting means adjacent said turntable for cooperating in supporting a stack of records by engaging the peripheral edge portion of the lowermost supported record of said stack when said record is of relatively large diameter; movable peripheral supporting means adjacent said turntable for cooperating in supporting a stack of records'by engaging the peripheral edge portion of the lowermost supported record of said stack when said record is of relatively small diameter; releasable locking means operatively associated with said movable peripheral supportingmeans for normally retaining said movabl peripheral supporting me us in supporting position, said locking means being actuated by a record of relatively large diameter when'it moves into the lowermost supported position for releasing said movable peripheral supporting means to move out oi supporting position; and disengaging means adapted to engage the peripheral wall of a lowermost supported record for moving said record laterally free of its supports whereby said record is guided by said spindle into playing position on said turntable.

ported position for releasing said movable peripheral supporting means to move out of supporting position; disengaging means adapted to engage the peripheral wall of the lowermost supported record for moving said record laterally free of its supports and under said second shoulder; and means for moving said disengaging means. a

6. An automatic record-changing apparatus comprising a rotatable turntable; a fixed offset spindle extending above said turntable, said spindle having a shoulder for supporting a stack of records by engaging the edge of the centering aperture of the lowermost record of said stack; fixed peripheral supporting means adjacent to said turntable for cooperating in supporting a stack of records by engaging a peripheral edge portion of the lowermost record of said stack when saidrecord is of relatively large diameter; movable peripheral supporting means adjacent to said turntable for cooperating in supporting a stack of records by engaging a peripheral edge portion ofthe lowermost record of said stack when said record is of relatively small diameter; releasable locking means operatively associated 5.,An automatic record-changing apparatus v comprising a rotatable turntable; a fixed oflset spindle extending above said turntable, said spindle having a first shoulder tor. supporting a stack of records by engaging the edge 0! the centering aperture of the lowermost supported record of said stack and a second shoulder spaced above said firstshoulder substantially the thickness of one record'for. cooperating in separating the lowermost supported record from the rest'of said stack of supported records; fixed peripheral supporting means adiacent said turntable for cooperating in supporting a stack of records by with said movable peripheral supporting means for normally retaining said movable peripheral supporting means in supporting'position, said locking means being actuated by a record of relatively large ,diameter when it moves into the lowermost supported position for releasing said movable'peripheral' supporting means to move out of supporting position; disengaging means adapted to engage a peripheral wall. of the lowermost supported record; means for moving said disengaging means for moving the lowermost supported recordto playing position on said turntable; and means for restoring said movable peripheral supporting means to a locked supporting position after a record of relatively large diameter has been .moved to the turntable.-

7. An automatic record-changing apparatus comprising a rotatable turntable; a fixed oflset spindle extending above said turntable, said spindle having a shoulder for supporting a stack of records by engaging the edge of the centering aperture of the lowermost supported record of said stack; fixed peripheral supporting means adjacent said turntable for cooperating in supporting a stack of records by engaging a peripheral edge portion of the lowermost record of said eral edge portion of the lowermost record ofsaid stack when said record is of relatively small diameter; releasable locking means operatively associated with said movable peripheral sup-' porting means for normally retaining said movleasing able peripheral supporting means in supporting position, said locking means being actuated by a record of relatively large diameter when it moves into the lowermost supported position for resaid movable peripheral supporting means to move out of supporting position; means for restoring said movable peripheral supporting means to a locked supporting position; a movable element having first and second projections and beingmoun'ted above and adjacent to said turntable and adapted to be moved laterally relative thereto, said first projection normally being adapted to engage the peripheral ber mounted above and adjacent to said turntable and adapted to be moved laterally thereof; a movable element having first and second projections and being associated with said member to be moved therewith and adapted to be moved relative thereto, said first projection normally extending above said member to engage the peripheral Wall of a record of relatively small diameter and being adapted to be moved downwardly relative to said member by a record of relatively large diameter as itis moved into the lowermost supported position whereby said second projection is moved'to extend abovesaid member to engage the peripheral wall of a record of relatively large diameter; and means for moving said member laterally and therewith said element for moving a lowermost supported record to playing position on said turntable.

11. An automatic record-changing apparatus comprising a rotatable turntable; a fixed spindle extending above said turntable; means on said spindle for supporting a stack of records by en-' gaging the edgeof'the lowermost supported record at the centering aperture; a supporting member mounted adjacent to said turntable and adapted to be moved laterally thereof; a movable element gaging the lowermost supported record at the I edge of its centering aperture; a movable element having first and second projections and being mounted above and adjacent said turntable and adapted to be moved laterally relative thereto, said first projection normally being adapted to engage the peripheral wall of a record of relatively small diameter and being adapted to be moved by a record of relatively large diameter as it is moved into the lowermost supported position whereby said second projection is moved to engage the peripheral wall of said record of relatively large diameter; and means for moving said element for moving a lowermost supported record to playing position on said turntable.

9. An automatic record-changing apparatus comprising a rotatable turntable; a fixed spindle H extending above said turntable; means on said spindle for supporting a stack of records by engaging the lowermost supported record at the edge of its centering aperture; a member mounted above and adjacent to said turntable and adapted to be moved laterally thereof; a movable element having first and second projections spaced relative to each other and being associated with said member to be moved therewith and adapted to be moved relative thereto, said first projection normally extending above said member for engaging the peripheral wall of a record of relatively small diameter and being adapted to be moved downwardly relative to said memberjby a record of relatively large diameter when it is moved into the lowermost supported position.

whereby said second projection is moved to extend; above said member for engaging the peripheral wall of a record of relatively large diameter; and means for moving said member laterally and therewith said element for moving a lowermost supported record table.

10. An automatic record-changing apparatus comprising a rotatable tumtable; a fixed spindle extending above said turntable; means on said spindle for supporting a stack of records by engaging the lowermost supported record at the to playing position on said turnedge of its centering aperture; a weight slidably L mounted on said spindle, above said record-supporting means for exerting a downward steadying pressure on a stack of supported records; a memhaving first and second projections and being operatively connected to said member to be moved therewith and adapted to be moved relative thereto, said first projection normally extendingabove said member for engaging the peripheral wall of a record of relatively small diameter'and being adapted to be moved downwardly by a record of relatively large diameter when it is moved into the lowermost supported position whereby said second projection is moved to extend above said member for engaging the peripheral wall of a record of relatively large diameter; a spring means for normally maintaining said supporting member and said element in said engaging position; and means for moving said supporting member against the tension of said spring means whereby a lowermost supported record is moved to playing position on said turntable.

12. An" automatic record-changing apparatus comprising a rotatable turntable; a fixed spindle above said turntable; means on said spindle for supporting a stack of records by engaging the lowermost supported record at the edge of its centering aperture; a pivotal post adjacent said turntable; a first spring means for normally maintaining said post in a non-operative position; a member connected to said post and adapted to be pivoted by a falling record out of engaging position; a second spring means for norto be moved relative thereto, said first projection normally extending above said member to engage the peripheral wall of a record of relatively small diameter and being adapted to be moved by a record of relatively large diameter as it is moved into the lowermost supported position whereby said second projection is moved to extend above said member to engage the peripheral wall of a record of relatively large diameter; and means for moving said post against the tension of said first spring whereby a lowermost supported record is moved to playing position on said turntable. 13. In an automatic phonograph including a rotatable turntable, means for moving records of two different sizes to playing position on said turntable and a pickup arm for cooperating with a record on said turntable; a mechanism ..com'- prising pickup arm control means for moving said pickup arm outwardly from the center of a record and inwardly to the initial playing groove of a record of relatively small diameter; a driving means for said pickup arm control means; a movable member normally adapted to be in operative position with said pickup arm control means for limiting the inward movement or said pickup arm to the initial playing groove of a record of relatively large diameter; means for holding said movable member out of operative position with said pickup arm control means and being adapted to be actuated by a record oi a relatively large diameter as it moves to playing position on said turntable for releasing said movable member into operative position with said pickup arm control means; and an element associated with said pickup arm control means for moving said movable member out of operative association with said pickup arm control means as said pickup arm control means is driven to move said pickup arm outwardly from the center of a record on said turntable.

. ARTHUR L. KNOX.

Dls'q 'A-l M ER 2,2j8Q,490QAfthur,L.'--Knb:t, 'FoiLWayne, IxitL- RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS.

Patent dated June 16, 1942. Discleiimr filed October 9, 1943, by the assignee, Fa msworth Television c5: Radio (Jorporation. I Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 8, 9 'and 10 in said speoifigzation.

'{Qflicial Gaze tt Nopember 9, 1943;] 

